Orca deaths in captivity
There have been a total of 32 Orcas that have been born in captivity and have died; that is excluding stillbirths, but in total, 156 have died in captivity including stillbirths and miscarriages (Whale and dolphin conservation society.)

On May 3 this year legislation was signed by French Environment Minister Segolene Royal relating to keeping of marine mammals in captivity in the France. This included a ban on breeding of dolphins and whales in marine parks which was immediately challenged by the captivity industry.
The industry requested that the high court rule against two major measures of the decree: the ban on the use of chlorine within six months and the ban on breeding and transfer of dolphins by November 7th.

Marine Connection is pleased to report that the judge has stated that there is no proof that a ban on breeding would have any adverse effect on the animals welfare and the ban should be upheld. There will be a second hearing with the high court making their final decision on the ban before the end of this year.

SeaWorld's latest financial figures have seen the marine park operator reveal a $175m loss in the second quarter of 2017.

Attendance was down by 353,000 for the first six months of the year compared with 2016 as the company continued to struggle with what it describes as "...public perception issues which have resurfaced since the company reduced marketing spend on its reputation campaign", four years after the release of the documentary "Blackfish". The award-winning film focused on the life of Tilikum, an orca from Iceland who was held in captivity by SeaWorld and died earlier this year.

Shares in the company hit an all-time low on Tuesday following the latest results.

Ask Thomas Cook to Stop Supporting Orca Abuse
The Thomas Cook Group continues to sell tickets to SeaWorld, despite being fully aware of the company's cruel treatment of animals for profit.

SeaWorld
The travel group has publicly pointed to its animal-welfare policy as being an acceptable benchmark for the treatment of captive animals.

But at SeaWorld, the orcas live in cramped, concrete tanks and are deprived of everything that is natural and important to them. With no physical, mental, or emotional stimulation, they spend their days swimming in endless circles.

At least 40 orcas and dozens of dolphins have died at SeaWorld parks from causes including severe trauma, intestinal gangrene, and chronic cardiovascular failure. Only last month, an infant beluga whale died of pneumonia – one of the most common causes of illness or death in captive marine animals. Does this sound "acceptable" to you?

What You Can Do
As SeaWorld faces a plunging stock price and a steady decline in visitor numbers, it's time for Thomas Cook to follow in the footsteps of numerous other travel providers – including STA Travel and Responsible Travel – and sever ties with this marine abusement park.

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